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Santa Ana is finally getting a dog park!

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Parks and Recreation, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana City Councilman David Penaloza posted good news on his Facebook page today:

On December 3rd 2019, I along with then Councilmember Iglesias placed the following item on the city council agenda:

“Discuss and consider directing the City Manager to direct staff to study the feasibility of a Dog Park.”

I’m extremely excited to announce that after three years of advocacy on my behalf and many years of tireless advocacy from many dog loving neighborhood leaders, it is finally happening! During the 21/22 budget cycle, the city council as part of the Capital Improvement Projects approved the allocation of $1.1 MILLION for the design and construction of Santa Ana’s 1st Dog Park!

The days of having to take our dogs to the Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Fullerton dog parks are OVER!

I along with the Parks and Rec and Public Works departments invite all of you dog lovers to join us next Saturday January 22nd at 9:30 am at Centennial Park to help us design it. Leash them up and bring the doggies!

The volunteers who show up on Jan. 22 will be asked to park at the Centennial Park Administration Center adjacent to the parking lot off Centennial Road as seen in this map of Santa Ana’s future Dog Park at Centennial Park:

A man died after being stabbed at the Pat McGuigan Skate Park at Centennial Park

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On Thursday, January 6th, 2022, at 8:22 PM, Officers responded to South Coast Global Medical Center regarding two stabbing victims who had just been dropped off at the hospital. Both adult victims were suffering from stab wounds to the chest. One victim was pronounced deceased. The second victim was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The Orange County Coroner’s Division conducted their investigation and identified the decedent as Jose Merlan (27) of Santa Ana.

During the preliminary investigation, the location where the victims were stabbed was determined to be the Pat McGuigan Skatepark. Surveillance video captured a physical altercation inside the skate park involving both victims and an unidentified male. Homicide detectives interviewed several witnesses, leading to the identification of the suspect, Nicholas Nunez (27) of Santa Ana.

On Friday, January 7th, 2022, at approximately 7:11 PM, Nunez was taken into custody with the assistance of the Santa Ana Career Criminal Unit, Gang Unit, VICE Unit and Major Enforcement Team. With the concurrence from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, SAPD Homicide detectives booked Nunez for CPC 187- Murder and CPC 664-187 – Attempted Murder.

The motive for the murder appears to be a result of an ongoing dispute. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

A commercial fire broke out just past midnight just south of Godinez H.S.

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A 2 alarm commercial fire broke out at the 3000 block of Harvard in Santa Ana just past 12 midnight. The fire occurred just east of the Heritage Museum of Orange County, south of Godinez High School and Centennial Park and less than a mile from the Yale Transitional Center, an O.C. homeless shelter.

The responding OCFA firefighters utilized a defensive strategy to prevent the spread of fire to nearby buildings.

No injuries to the firefighters or civilians were reported. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. OCFA investigators were at the scene.

The fire was knocked down just past 1:30 a.m. The fire crews remained on scene for hours overhauling the structure.

Assistance was provided by the Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley Fire Departments as well as the SAPD.

A man was fatally shot just south of Centennial Park

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On Monday, May 10, 2021, at 10:33 p.m., Santa Ana Police officers responded to a call of a male shot in the 1900 block of S. Fairview Street.

Officers located the male unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Orange County Fire Authority responded and pronounced the subject deceased. SAPD Homicide Detectives responded and assumed the investigation.

The circumstances surrounding the male’s death are currently being investigated. The Orange County Coroner’s Division is on scene and conducting their investigation.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The Santa Ana City Council will consider a Centennial Park dog park proposal at their meeting tonight

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Pets, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The regular meeting of the Santa Ana City Council is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. tonight, March 3, 2020.

The Council meets in the City Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana. A Housing Authority meeting also will take place.

A closed session meeting will precede this at 5 p.m.

The meeting agenda with staff reports is here: https://santaana.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7240

Tonight’s City Council agenda includes –

  • Kaufman Law Group and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP threatening lawsuits concerning the 2525 N. Main Referendum petition
  • CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION presented by COUNCILMEMBER IGLESIAS recognizing The Orange County NAACP for their Outstanding Contributions to the Community.
  • APPOINT CIELO ECHEGOYEN NOMINATED BY MAYOR PULIDO AS THE CITY-WIDE REPRESENTATIVE (REGULAR) TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 8, 2020 – Clerk of the Council Office
  • APPOINT CORY NELSON NOMINATED BY COUNCILMEMBER BACERRA AS THE WARD 4 REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS FOR A FULL-TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 13, 2022 – Clerk of the Council Office.
  • APPROPRIATION ADJUSTMENT NO. 2020–124 – In the amount of $710,000 to fund the costs associated with the May 19, 2020 special election.
  • Authorize the City Manager to execute a sole source purchase order to the National Fitness Campaign, LLC (NFC) for a NFC Fitness Court at Delhi and Rosita Parks for an amount not to exceed $218,130, funded by the General Fund, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney.
  • DISCUSS THE FEASIBILITY OF A DOG PARK AT CENTENNIAL PARK AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency

An agenda that can be translated into other languages is available here: https://www.santa-ana.org/sites/default/files/cc/cc-agenda/20200303.html

Meetings are broadcast live on CTV3. Watch CTV3 on channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-verse.

The council meetings are streamed live online in English here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=3

The meetings can be watched in Spanish here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPla yer.php?publish_id=1

Centennial Park Skate Park renamed after recently deceased former City Councilmember Pat McGuigan

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Pat McGuigan

SANTA ANA, CA – On Tuesday, September 17, the Santa Ana City Council voted to rename Centennial Park Skate Park to “Pat McGuigan Skate Park” in honor of former City Councilmember Patricia A. McGuigan who recently passed away of natural causes at the age of 85.

“During her tenure, Councilmember McGuigan made a lasting impact on the wellbeing of Santa Ana residents,” said Mayor Pulido. “It’s our duty to preserve her legacy within the community that she cared for so much.”

Councilmember McGuigan, the City of Santa Ana’s first councilwoman, was one of the longest-serving councilmembers in Orange County history. She served on the Santa Ana City Council from 1981 to 1992, was reappointed in 1993 to fill a vacancy, and retired in 2002 after two successful elections. McGuigan served during a time period when the City’s Latino and Asian populations increased significantly, and she is often credited for building relationships with the City’s new immigrant communities. In 1994, she created the Asian-Pacific Advisory Council of Santa Ana, which she led for eight years.

“Pat dedicated so much of her time to improving this community’s quality of life,” said Mayor Pro Tem Villegas. “She played an important role in the opening of Centennial Park Skate Park back in 2002 and it is with great pride that we are renaming the same park in her honor.”

McGuigan was also instrumental in the opening of the Salgado Community Center, which was the first of its kind on Santa Ana’s west side, providing youth with a gymnasium, pool, and game room. She was a member of Santa Ana’s Historic Resources Commission, the Orange County Senior Citizens Advisory Council and the Soroptimist International of Santa Ana-Tustin, in which she served as a director. McGuigan was also an advocate in creating Santa Ana’s Downtown Artist Village.

“Pat McGuigan was my Councilmember for Ward 6 for many years,” said Councilmember Iglesias . “She was such a people person and I will always admire her for what she stood for. Being the first women elected to City Council, she has always been my role model. My sincere condolences to the family. She will be deeply missed.”

The Santa Ana City Council is able to name and rename City facilities based on guidelines established in the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC). Pat McGuigan Skate Park meets the fourth criteria under SAMC criteria: “A name that recognizes a person or family who made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the City, including City Council, Commissioners, Officers and employees of the City, but not anyone who currently holds such position.”

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Help to plant new trees at Centennial Park this Saturday

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Get ready for another tree planting opportunity here in Santa Ana, hosted by the folks at the nonprofit organization People and Trees, Inc. This planting will take place this Saturday, March 16, from 8:30 am to 10:30 a.m. at the front-left side of the lake in Santa Ana’s Centennial Park close to its main entrance.

A total of 10 Ash trees and 3 Fern trees will be planted. The Ash trees, as they grow, will give shade for people to sit and enjoy the view. The fern trees will provide shade for cars in the adjacent parking lot.

Directions to Planting Site:

  • Enter Centennial Park through is main entrance (from Edinger Ave) and park in the first parking lot on its left, close to the lake.
  • From there, walk around the lake on the sidewalk on its left to the planting site on the opposite side of the lake.
  • On the map below, this path is shown blue, solid for driving and dashed for walking, and planting spots are circled red.

Those who are going to come to plant trees with please RSVP to this email address: PeopleAndTreesOC@gmail.com.

Help plant trees at Centennial Park this Saturday

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The People and Trees organization is inviting Santa Ana residents to participate in a tree planting event this Saturday, Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The goal is to plant ten more Weeping Willow trees at Centennial Lake, on the side opposite to Centennial Park’s main entrance.

This planting was rescheduled from two weeks ago because of rain.
Forecast for this weekend promises no rain and mostly sunny sky. However bring a light jacket as mornings can be cool.

Please forward this information to your friends, family and neighbors!

If you who are going to come to plant trees this Saturday, please RSVP to PeopleAndTreesOC@gmail.com with your name and the names of your family members or friends who are coming with you. Or text a message to (949) 856-9926.

Directions to Planting Site for February 23, 2019:

Enter Centennial Park through is main entrance (from Edinger Ave) and park in the first parking lot on its left, close to the lake.
From there, walk around the lake on the sidewalk on its left to the planting site on the opposite side of the lake.
On the map below, this path is shown blue, solid for driving and dashed for walking, and planting spots are circled red.

Help to plant new trees at Centennial Park on Jan. 26

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January 26, 2019 – Invitation to Volunteer for Tree Planting Event at Centennial Park

Due to the rain this past week and soil condition, the January 19th tree-planting event is cancelled and members of the community are invited to volunteer for a rescheduled Tree-Planting event at Centennial Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 8:30 am-10:30 am at 3000 West Edinger Avenue.

Please note pre-registration is required to participate by email to PeopleandTreesOC@gmail.com or via text message to (949) 856-9926. Please tap or click here to view the January 26th Tree-Planting event flyer.

Your help is needed to plant trees at Centennial Park this Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Invitation to Volunteer for Centennial Park’s Tree Planting Event – Saturday, December 1, 2018

Santa Ana residents are invited to volunteer for a special Tree-Planting event with the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency, at Centennial Park (3000 West Edinger Avenue) on Saturday, December 1st from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.

We will plant 13 African Fern trees along parking lot that is closest to lake, next to main entrance on its right. As these trees grow, they will provide shade for parked cars and for walking on adjacent sidewalk on hot sunny days. Continue reading→

Enjoy a free fireworks show at Santa Ana’s 8th Annual 4th of July Celebration

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City of Santa Ana

Community: Santa Ana’s 8th Annual 4th of July Celebration – La 8ª Celebración Anual del 4 de Julio en Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, CA – The City of Santa Ana’s 8th Annual Fourth of July Celebration will be taking place on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Park. This annual event celebrates Independence Day with a festive patriotic program, live music, tasty food, a History Walk, youth sports zone, kids play zone, face painting, children’s opportunity drawing and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Hosted by a grassroots community committee, the History Walk is an educational, interactive display inviting guests to take a walk through America’s rich history. Guests will have the opportunity to visit with Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and many other historical figures as they stop at each character’s’ booth to hear about their important role in our nation’s beginnings. Continue reading→

A man was shot and wounded near Centennial Park this afternoon

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A shooting happened today, at 1 p.m., near Centennial Regional Park, where Godinez Fundamental High School and the Santa Ana College Centennial Education Center are located, by Fairview St. and Edinger Ave., according to the O.C. Register.

One man was wounded by the gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital and apparently his injuries were not serious as he is expected to survive. Continue reading→

A man was beat up last night at Centennial Park then his attacker ran him over with a car

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The SAPD is investigating the death of Louis Justin Diaz (22), a resident of Santa Ana, who was in a fight and then run over by a car Monday night, according to the SAPD.

The incident was reported about 7:10 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at the 3000 block of West Edinger Avenue, according to KTLA. Continue reading→

Two Santa Ana men arrested for attempted murder of a man at Centennial Park

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Anthony Edward Rodriguez

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Two Suspects In Attempt Murder Case – Looking For Additional Witnesses To The Crime

On Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at approximately 7:00 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department responded to a report of a fight/assault at the skate park located inside Centennial Park. Officers discovered an unresponsive adult male suffering from significant trauma to his face and head. Officers detained and arrested a suspect at the scene. A second suspect fled prior to the arrival of officers. Orange County Fire Authority Paramedics responded and medics transported the victim to a local trauma center where doctors performed life-saving surgery. Doctors have listed the victim in critical condition. Continue reading→

A man was beaten up at Centennial Park after he picked a fight

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At around 7 pm, Santa Ana Police and Rancho Santiago Community College District Public Safety Officers responded to a fight at Centennial Park right next to the skate park – which is also where Godinez Fundamental High School is located.

An unidentified man instigated a fight with several men at the Skate Park. According to witnesses the man appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Continue reading→